Isoparaffins are branched-chain aliphatic hydrocarbons. The C followed by the numbers in the ingredient name represents the number of carbons in the chain.

For example, C13-14 Isoparaffin is a mixture of branched-chain aliphatic hydrocarbons with 13 or 14 carbons in the chain. Isoparaffin ingredients containing aliphatic hydrocarbons with predominantly a single carbon chain length have names that represent the number of carbons in the chain.

For example, Isooctane has 8 carbons, Isododecane has 12 carbons, Isohexadecane has 16 carbons and Isoeicosane has 20 carbons.

Safety

Safety Information:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permits synthetic isoparaffin petroleum hydrocarbons to be used directly in some foods. For example, these compounds are permitted in coatings on fruits and vegetables.

Synthetic isoparaffin petroleum hydrocarbons are also permitted to be used secondary direct food additives as defoaming agents.

The safety of C13-14 Isoparaffin, Isododecane and Isohexadecane, as well as the other Isoparaffin ingredients has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR Expert Panel evaluated that scientific data and concluded that these ingredients were safe for use in cosmetics.

They also tested negative in reproductive and developmental toxicity studies. Exposure of male rats to Isoparaffin ingredients and other hydrocarbons was associated with effects on the kidneys. The CIR Expert Panel noted that the mechanism of kidney effects in male rats exposed to hydrocarbons is well known and not relevant to humans because it involves a protein made in the kidneys of male rats but not made in humans.

The CIR Expert Panel also reviewed information that indicated that the Isoparaffin ingredients at concentrations used in cosmetics and personal care products were not sensitizers, and dermal effects were not increased when these compounds were applied to the skin and exposed to sunlight.